Biomass, phorophyte specificity and distribution of Tillandsia recurvata in a tropical semi-desert environment (Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico)

摘要

Background and aims - In low-precipitation environments, vascular epiphytes are expected to present low abundance and species richness, and could be restricted to inhabit a small number of phorophyte species. At the northern limit of the tropical region, in the southern Chihuahuan Desert, we determined epiphyte richness and biomass, and we tested whether Tillandsia recurvata exhibits phorophyte preference and whether vertical preference was exhibited within Prosopis laevigata.